CENSUS SURVEYUntil August the National Office of Statistics are employing Capita to conduct a survey on the Island ahead of the National Census next year. This broadly involves a random checking of address accuracy. All employees will have full I.D. and in the unlikely event that they will actually call on local residents they will not need at any time to actually enter your homes.

If you have any concerns or queries about the survey, please telephone the National Office of Statistics on 0845 6013034.

HOUSEHOLD REFUSE COLLECTIONS
Following on from representations made by me on behalf of residents, the “kerbside” collection requirements have been modified so that bags/bins left at the front of properties (not having grass verges in front) will be collected provided they are not obstructed by a gate or wall/hedge. This means that if your front garden is enclosed, you can place your refuse for example by the open front gate or just outside it. This I hope will be more convenient to many residents who will be able to continue with arrangements used before the new proposals were put in place.

I also confirm that any resident with a physical disability or age infirmity can continue to have rubbish collected from the back door if they register with the Council via the Call Centre on 01983 821000. Please let me know if you have any queries about this.

ALLOTMENTS
Residents may have seen the article in the County Press about the new site. This is at the junction of Wyatts Lane and Pallance Lane and is part of Mark Coventry’s Lower Luton Farm. The allotment holders have formed an Association and are dealing with all necessary arrangements directly with Mark. The site is larger than that at New House Farm so there are more plots.

Paul Morris is the Association Chairman and can be contacted on 01983 209024 if you are interested in taking a plot.

NATWEST ISLAND GAMESThis prestigious international event takes place on the Island next year between 25th June and 1st July. The events include athletics, archery, football, tennis, cycling, swimming, etc. and a large number of volunteers will be required to help in managing such a varied number of sports across the Island. If you can help in any way please log on to the website www.natwestislandgames2011.co.uk for full details. You can also contact the Council’s Sports Development Unit by emailing thomas.lyons@iow.gov.uk – telephone 01983 823818.

This will be a most widely anticipated sporting event and being just one year before the London Olympics is sure to attract much more publicity for the Island than previous Games.

ANOTHER TELEPHONE SCAM
Local resident John Coleman reports via Trading Standards a company offering On-line Computer Services to deal with any computer and related problems you may be experiencing or could have in the future. The view is that this is a bogus operation attempting to take control of your computer for fraudulent purposes. As usual the advice is to ignore totally any unsolicited attempt to obtain personal information from you on any subject but particularly information which could obviously be used for criminal purposes. As usual please be vigilant.

Whilst on this subject of unsolicited callers, a firm called Direct Response Security were possibly calling Cowes area telephone numbers earlier this month. They are a bona fide company marketing Alarm and Security systems. However, if any resident was contacted by them and had any concerns, please let me know so that this can be reported through the Police and Trading Standards.

COWES ONE SCHOOL PATHFINDER
An open day is being held at Cowes High School on 25th May between 3pm and 7pm to present local residents with the exciting new proposals for this £35m new centre for learning.

Representatives from the new Governing Body and the Council and others will be on hand to explain all there is to know about the new development and facilities, many of which will be available to the wider community, including new sports facilities. Please do visit the displays and presentations.

It is expected that the successful bidder to build the new centre will be announced in June and the exact timetable to completion will follow.

ISLAND BEACHES
The Island has been awarded three Blue Flags and eleven Quality Coast Awards putting us joint top with Torbay in the total number of quality beaches in the country. Residents will I am sure be pleased that Cowes retained its Quality Award for this year.

AND FINALLY may I thank all residents who kindly sent cards and messages to Jill and myself on our recent Golden Wedding anniversary. These were very much appreciated and makes us realise why we love living in Northwood!